Forschungszentrum Jülich: Press Releaseshttp://www.fz-juelich.de
Forschungszentrum Jülichde-deForschungszentrum Jülichinfo@fz-juelich.dewebmaster@fz-juelich.deNewspapersGovernment Site Builderhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss60Preventing Clumping: How to Keep Proteins Activehttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/notifications/2018-12-18-nanoporen.html
Jülich, 19 December 2018 – Protein molecules are nature’s all-rounders and carry out their specific tasks with great efficiency. For example, some play an important role in converting substances; others are involved in combatting pathogens. As a result, these biological machines are important in technical as well as medical applications. However, proteins tend to clump together irreversibly at high concentrations and thus lose their effectiveness, although this only occurs when they are outside their natural environment of the cell’s interior.18 Dec 2018 14:06:03Artificial Synapses Made from Nanowireshttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-12-05-nanowire.html
Jülich, 5 December 2018 – Scientists from Jülich together with colleagues from Aachen and Turin have produced a memristive element made from nanowires that functions in much the same way as a biological nerve cell. The component is able to both save and process information, as well as receive numerous signals in parallel. The resistive switching cell made from oxide crystal nanowires is thus proving to be the ideal candidate for use in building bioinspired “neuromorphic” processors, able to take over the diverse functions of biological synapses and neurons.05 Dec 2018 14:05:00In Situ SIMS in Pursuit of Materials for the Energy Transitionhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-12-05-in-situ-pursuit.html
Jülich, 5 December 2018. In the presence of Thomas Rachel, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research and member of the German Bundestag, scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich today put a new analytical instrument into operation that will speed up the development of materials for the energy transition (Energiewende). State-of-the-art high-performance batteries, fuel and electrolysis cells, and membrane reactors for synthetic fuels are usually structured as complex systems of multilayers and composites. The new instrument, a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, will enable Jülich researchers to investigate the behaviour of these complex material systems in operation. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) provided funding of roughly €2 million to construct the instrument at Jülich’s Central Institute of Engineering, Electronics and Analytics (ZEA).05 Dec 2018 10:50:01Basic Research on New Touchscreen Technologyhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-12-04-basic-research-on-new-touchscreen-technology.html
Jülich, 4 December 2018 – In future, users will be able to not just see but also feel objects on their touchscreens. A number of companies have already developed such prototypes. An international team led by Jülich physicist Bo Persson has now presented a substantially simplified method to theoretically describe interaction with these haptic touchscreens. Before now, it was not possible to calculate the forces at play between the human finger and the screen, even using the most powerful supercomputers available. Based on their new model, the researchers have developed a proposal for screen designs that enable improved tactile sensation. Their findings have been published in the journal PNAS.03 Dec 2018 14:46:00Citizen Science in the Quantum Worldhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-12-02-citizen-science-quantum-world.html
Jülich, 3 December 2018 – Members of the public with an interest in science have the capacity to make a significant contribution to the scientific world. These “citizen scientists” count butterflies, analyse photographs of the surface of Mars, or solve puzzles to find optimal ways of folding protein molecules. For the first time, around 600 amateur scientists have now helped to optimize a quantum physics experiment to produce an ultracold quantum gas, participating via a remote gaming interface. When compared to a computer algorithm, they performed surprisingly well.30 Nov 2018 15:31:00Fighting against Air Pollution and for Better Climate Protectionhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-11-30-fighting-against-air-pollution.html
Jülich/Katowice/Leipzig/Potsdam, 30 November 2018 – At the UN Climate Change Conference, German scientists will present the latest research findings on air pollution and, in collaboration with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), discuss sustainable solutions. In doing so, the German climate consortium (DKK) aims to raise awareness of the global dimension of air pollution and to promote the adoption of joint solutions. Measures for reducing air pollution in many parts of the world not only protect the health of the millions of people affected by this problem, but also help to combat climate change and lay a course for a sustainable future. The event is one of more than 100 side events on key issues being held in the EU Pavilion at COP24, the UN Climate Change Conference, which is taking place on 2–14 December in Katowice, Poland.30 Nov 2018 11:37:19Stronger Than Gorilla Glasshttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-11-26-stronger-than-gorilla-glas.html
Jülich, 26 November 2018 – They are harder than conventional glass and exceptionally resistant to heat and corrosive chemical substances: transparent ceramics are considered a promising alternative to glass-based materials. Like all ceramics, however, they are highly susceptible to fracture. To combat this, Jülich scientists are working on an innovative coating technique that enhances the mechanical and optical properties of transparent ceramics in a targeted manner. They have now succeeded in doubling the fracture toughness of these ceramics. The results of their study have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports.26 Nov 2018 10:25:50New UNIBAT Project to Investigate Phenomena in Solid-State Batterieshttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-11-15-unibat-festkoerper-batterie.html
Jülich, 15 November 2018 – Solid-state batteries are a subject of great interest to researchers worldwide thanks to their outstanding properties. One question that has yet to be answered, however, is which materials are best suited to this type of battery. Scientists from Jülich’s Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK) aim to tackle this question in the analytical project UNIBAT ("Untersuchungen irreversibler Änderungen in Festkörper-Batterien") by investigating irreversible changes in solid-state batteries. Thomas Rachel MdB, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Education and Research, officially launched the project today. It will receive funding of approximately € 2 million from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) over the next three years.14 Nov 2018 09:43:02Research for Tomorrow’s Bioeconomyhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-11-9-biotech-day.html
Jülich, 9 November 2018 – Industrial or “white” biotechnology uses microorganisms and enzymes as biocatalysts in an effort to produce base and fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and proteins from renewable raw materials. It therefore plays a key role in establishing a future bioeconomy, the goals of which include finding substitutes for energy-intensive, oil-based production processes. The latest research developments and findings will be presented at the 2018 Jülich Biotech Day.09 Nov 2018 13:55:55Towards IT of the Future: Interactions of Skyrmions Better Understoodhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/notifications/2018-10-22-it-hoffnung-skyrmionen.html
22 October 2018 – Tiny magnetic vortices known as skyrmions have the potential to revolutionize computer technology. In maybe 10 or 20 years from now, they could enable to store and process data not just more compactly but also in a significantly more energy efficient way. Nevertheless, before this can become a reality, numerous obstacles must be overcome. For example, what impact do the tiniest, almost unavoidable defects in materials have on the spins? Which interactions arise between skyrmions (or other chiral magnetic structures) and electrons? Two new publications from PGI-1/IAS-1 address these fundamental questions, important for the technical utilization of skyrmions:30 Oct 2018 09:32:09How DNA Cages Transport Nanoparticleshttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/notifications/2018-10-29-dna-nanoteilchen.html
29 October 2018 – Objects on the nanoscale containing cavities are of great interest from the point of view of both fundamental science as well as in terms of possible applications. So-called nanocages can act as carriers of smaller molecules and, for example, transport drugs or genes for medical purposes. An international research team including scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich have investigated how one could create robust and stable nanobjects with tunable properties in the laboratory using experiments in combination with detailed computer simulations.29 Oct 2018 14:29:35Joint Initiative for European Quantum Computerhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-10-29-joint-initiative-for-european-quantum-computer.html
Jülich/Vienna, 29 October 2018 – Taking quantum technologies in Europe from the research lab to everyday applications: this is the aim of the Quantum Flagship research initiative, which is being officially launched today at a kick-off event in Vienna. With a budget of € 1 billion and a project duration of 10 years, this is one of the EU’s most ambitious research initiatives. It brings together research establishments, universities, companies, and political figures, while also supporting large-scale, long-term research projects. According to the initiative’s plans, Forschungszentrum Jülich will become the home of a future quantum computer, which will be developed together with partners from science and industry.24 Oct 2018 17:01:58Unprecedented Insight into the Sun’s Fusion Reactorhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-10-24-10-years-of-borexino-data.html
Scientists from the Borexino Collaboration have published the most comprehensive analysis to date of neutrinos from the nuclear fusion process inside the sun. With the aid of the observatory for almost undetectable “ghost particles”, located 1,400 metres below the Earth’s surface in the Gran Sasso massif near Rome, they were able to obtain a complete solar neutrino spectrum and clearly detect neutrinos from a previously unconfirmed reaction for the first time. Their findings will be published in the renowned journal Nature.19 Oct 2018 11:29:13Improved Analysis of Brain Tumour Images through Artificial Intelligencehttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-10-18-improved-analysis-of-brain-tumour-images.html
Jülich, 18 October 2018 – To detect brain tumours and distinguish them from other tissue changes, doctors use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a special form of positron emission tomography (PET). In two studies, Jülich, Cologne, and Aachen researchers have now shown how artificial intelligence can be used to obtain valuable additional information from the images that is otherwise hidden from the doctor’s eye.18 Oct 2018 09:37:12€ 16 Million for the Battery of the Futurehttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-10-08-festbatterie.html
Jülich, 8 October 2018 – Research into solid-state batteries is viewed with great promise worldwide. This type of battery does not require combustible liquid electrolytes and offers shorter charging times and higher energy densities than today’s lithium-ion batteries – and therefore greater range for electromobility. To develop the materials and process technology further, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has set up the FestBatt competence cluster, which will be given almost € 16 million in funding over a three-year period starting September 2018. The cluster comprises 14 scientific institutions, including universities – with Justus Liebig University Gießen coordinating the cluster – Helmholtz centres such as Forschungszentrum Jülich, and institutes of the Fraunhofer Society.16 Oct 2018 21:52:00Researchers Seeking Solution to Overcrowding at Train Stationshttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-10-01-croma.html
Jülich, 1 October 2018 – Congestion is becoming an issue at many train stations in Germany. Particularly during rush hour or after large public events, platforms frequently become overcrowded and are no longer able to cope with the influx of people due to steadily rising passenger numbers. As part of the CroMa project, scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich together with their partners are working to develop new concepts and measures that will alleviate the situation and further improve efficiency at train and underground stations. The project, which is being coordinated by the University of Wuppertal and involves other universities, transport operators, and event organizers, is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with a total of € 2.1 million over a period of three years.01 Oct 2018 09:00:00Falling Walls Lab: Fresh New Ideas for the Futurehttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-09-25-falling-walls.html
Jülich, 25 September 2018 – The heat for the international ideas competition Falling Walls Lab took place for the fourth time at Forschungszentrum Jülich on Monday. Doctoral researchers, postdocs, and young entrepreneurs took to the stage to make the most of three minutes’ time and present a research project, a business idea, or a social initiative to a panel of judges. New ways of thinking and ideas that bring down walls – including those inside our heads... this is what the Falling Walls Conference is all about. It takes place on 9 November in Berlin every year.25 Sep 2018 14:39:003D Printing to Make Synthetic Fuels More Efficient and Cheaperhttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/2018-09-25-prometheus.html
Jülich, 25 September 2018 - Co-electrolysis is a new and very efficient way of producing synthetic fuels and chemicals from CO2 and water. Diesel and petrol cars as well as trucks, airplanes, and ships could run on such fuels in a climate neutral manner. They can also be used as energy storage systems, which could help compensate the fluctuations of wind and solar energy. As part of the PROMETHEUS project, Jülich researchers together with WZR ceramic solutions GmbH, the Greek Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the mineral oil group Hellenic Petroleum want to develop a 3D-printed membrane reactor with ultrathin cells for the production of synthetic fuels. This reactor is expected to be considerably more efficient and cost-effective than current devices, which, for the most part, are still at an experimental stage.25 Sep 2018 09:00:00How Magnetism Works: Electron Bonds Stronger Than Thoughthttp://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/UK/EN/2018/notifications/2018-09-19-magnetism-electron-bonds-stronger-than-thought.html
Jülich, 21 September 2018 – Why are some metals magnetic? This question is a challenge not only for school children, but a well-founded scientific answer is also elusive. A paper by a team of scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg makes this even clearer. Using cobalt as a magnetic material, the researchers were the first to visualize those interactions between single electrons that ultimately give rise to magnetic properties. This in turn enabled the first detailed insights into the electronic origin of magnetism, something that could only be addressed theoretically in the past. For their investigations, the researchers utilized an electron microscope operated by Forschungszentrum Jülich at the Elettra storage ring in Trieste, Italy.21 Sep 2018 09:30:00